Pind daan is known to be the way of Mukti. Mukti means Free from the Circle of Life and death & rebirth.

In Vayupuran, according to a narration titled Gaya Mahatam, when creating mankind, Brahma created a demon named Gayasur. The demon went atop the kolahal Mountain and offered great penance to Lord Vishnu. Pleased with Gayasur, Lord Vishnu asked him to seek one blessing. So,Gayasur requested that whoever came in touch with him – be it an angel or a demon, an insect, a sinner, a saint or a sage, or an evil spirit – should find salvation after having been purified of all sins. From that day everyone who came in touch with him found salvation and proceeded to vaikunth (abode of Lord Vishnu).

It is believed that it was Lord Brahma who first performed the pind daan ceremony in Gaya. Since then this tradition has continued. Offering pind daan during the dark fortnight of Ashvin (coming 11 Sep to 27 Sep 2011) is of special significance. Symbolically a pind is a round ball made of a mixture of oats and rice flour with some sesame seeds mixed along with some milk and honey. Seven balls are made out of 100 grams of flour. Of these, one is offered to the deceased and the rest to others as desired.

Earlier pind daan was performed around the year. There were 360 platforms where pind daan was done with wheat and oat flour mixed with dried milk. Pind daan is also performed symbolically with mud balls. Presently pind daan is performed at Vishnu temple, Akshay,Vat,Phalgu and Punpun river, Ramkund, Sitakund, Brahm Mangalpuri, Kagbali, and with the five pilgrimages they together make 48 platforms where pind daan is performed.

In the Kurmpuran, 34/7-8, it is said:

“All forefathers appreciate a pilgrimage to Gaya by their successors. Once the pind daan is performed in Gaya, one achieves salvation. One becomes free of rebirth. If one visits Gaya even once and offers pind daan, the forefathers become free from hell and other dreadful destinations and achieve salvation.”

In the Kurmpuran it is also said that whoever goes to Gaya for pind daan is blessed and seven generations from the paternal and maternal side are benefited along with the personal self who achieves salvation.

Pitripaksha : Pitripaksha Mela is a fortnight-long festival of souls, a world event staged in Gaya is being organised every year which starts from the day of Anant Chaturdashi of Bhadra Shuklapaksh and ends on pratipada of Ashwin Shuklapaksha according to the Hindi Calendar(Which comes generally in September & October every year). This Mela is very important for religious, mythological & historical reasons. A large number of Pilgrims belonging to Sanatan Hindu religions visit Gaya every year to offer “Pinda” for obtaining Moksh for their ancestors and for this reason they offer “Pinda” & perform religions ceremonies on “54 Vedis” located at Vishnupad Temple, Falgu River, Akshaywat & various other places. It is believed that performing “Pindadan” in Gaya in the “Pitripaksh” helps in attaining Moksha to the souls of the ancestors. Thousands and thousands of pilgrims from different parts of the country and neighbor countries such as NEPAL & BANGLADESH, and all the Hindus spreaded around the world perform the “PINDADAAN” ritual at these points.

Ekodristi Gaya Sradha
Ekodristi Gaya Sraddha is a TIRTH SRADHA, completed in one day only. In Ekodristi Gaya Sraddha normally pilgrims have to cover only three important vedis that is The Falgu river (Niranjana, as mentioned in Ramayana), The Vishnupad temple and The Akshavata. And if the deadth is unusual/accidental then pilgrims have to also perform Pind Daan at PRETSHILA (hill), Gaya kup and Dharmaranya also.

People who have scanty time and desire to do Pind Daan in GayaJi for the salvation of their ancestors soul and freed from the agonies of Hell and sent them to Heaven performs Ekodristi Gaya Sraddha in scarce of time.

Narayan Bali Sradha
Narayan Bali Sradha - Narayan bali is done to get rid of ancestral curse (Pitru dosh /Pitru Shaap), Narayan Bali ritual is done to fulfill the unsatisfied desires of the ancestral souls which are stuck in the world and trouble their progeny. Narayan Bali consists of the same ritual as Hindu funeral. An artificial body mostly made of five metals is used. Mantras are used to invoke such souls who are having certain wishes remaining attached. The ritual makes them possess the body and the funeral frees them to other world.

Naag Bali Sradha
Naag Bali Sradha - Nag bali is done to get rid of sin performed by killing snake, specially Cobra which is worshipped in India. Nagbali ritual is done to get rid of sin of killing nag (Cobra). In this ritual also the funeral is performed on the body of snake made with wheat dough and metals.

Tripindi Sradha
Tripindi Sradha - Tripindi Shradha is an offering in the memory of the dear departed. If for three consecutive years the offerings are not made to the dear departed then the dead gets Pret Yoni, so to calm them these offerings are made.
This religious act should be performed at a holy place meant for demon liberation or sacrifice. Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh are the main Gods in this rite. In this God Brahma (Silver), Vishnu (Gold), Rudra (Copper) are omnipresent.
Tripindi Shradha must be performed to resolve various calamities. Its assertion is mentioned in "Shradha Chintamani". In the end one must perform Tripindi Shradha as per the tradition and conventions.

Vedis in Gaya Ji : The Vedis situated in and around Gaya town where Pilgrims pilgrims perform/offer PIND DAN are as follows and the name of vedis are listed below Special care is given on the cleanliness of Vedis in order to perform the religious ceremonies with utmost purity & faith:

Poonpoon charanPuja

Jiwha loll

Kartikpada

Mat Gowapi

Munda Pristha

Falgu River

Gajadhar Jee

Dhadikhagni

Go pada

Adi Gaya

Brahma Kund

Sarswati

Garpashagni

Agastha pada

Dhout Pada

Pretshilla

Dharmaranya

Ahabaniagni

Indrapada

Bhim Gaya

Ram Shilla

BodhGaya

Suryapada

Kahsyapada

Go Prachar

Ram Kund

Brahma Sarower

Chandrapada

Gajakaran

Gada Loll

Kagbali

Kagbali

Ganeshpada

RamGaya

Dhud Tarpan

Uttarmanas

Amrasichen

Sandyagnipada

SitaKund

Baitarni

Udichi

Rudrapada

Yagnipada

Souvagyadan

AkshayBata

Kankhal

Brahmapada

Dadhisthi pada

Gayasur

Gyatri Ghat

Dakhin Manas

Vishnupada

Kanna pada

Gayakup

Udichi

Rudrapada

Yagnipada

Souvagyadan

AkshayBata

Kankhal

Brahmapada

Dadhisthi pada

Gayasur

Gyatri Ghat

Dakhin Manas

Vishnupada

Kanna pada

Gayakup

Why do Pinddaan

For Problems like Bhoot Pishach Badha, unsuccessful in Business, Waste of Money, Family health Problems, Argument with others, Educational hindrances, Marriage Problems, Accidental Death, Unnecessary expenses, Health problems in many family members, All kind of Curse (shrap). Gaya Sharadh/Tripindi Sharadh/Narayan Nagbali is performed to get respite from various problems.

Unsatisfied dead harasses in the form of demon. Cancellation of rites meant for the forefathers, denying offerings made in the memory of the dear departed and spiritual procedures if not performed as per the traditions then problems may arise from goblin, corpse, demi-gods, It may also lead to delay in marriage prospects, failure in business, receding prosperity day after day.

Performing these Pooja gives good health, success in business and career and fulfils wishes. These pujas is performed for so many reasons. If one has suffering from illness, going through bad times, someone in family has killed or gone dead by unnatural reason or one having a problem to have a kids or just you have everything and you want to perform some religious puja to have everything. It is a 1day to 17 days ritual, on/with a particular day and time (muhurta). This puja needs a special dates to perform it. Some days are not suitable to perform some puja. On the first day, the devotees should take a holy bath and resolve to give Sankalp, Guruvarn & barni, befor offering Pooja at temple & Vedies.One can perform this rite even if you are single, widower or widow.

Paramount time for performing “PIND DAN” in Gaya ji:- All three Krishna paksha before the Nauratries (i.e. Chaitra, Pausha & Ashwin) and in every Krishna paksha of Hindi month.

Places of Interest

Gaya is a lovely city rich in history, artifacts, religious significance and things to see and do. And it offers the pilgrim and the tourist all the pleasures, warmth and excitement of a very satisfying holiday.

VISHNUPADA TEMPLE : The Vishnupada Temple is Considered to be one of the most sacred of all the Vaishnava temples in India. The spot on which it stands is associated with the famous mythological event of God Vishnu suppressing the demon Gayasura and leaving marks of his right footprint on the rock which is the main object of worship in the temple. The present Vishnupada temple on the bank of the river Falgu was built at the end of the eighteenth century by the Maharani of Indore AHILYA BAI HOLKAR. The temple consists in plan of a sanctum, having an octagonal tower, about hundred feet high, with a lofty pyramidal roof besides an open pillared hall or mandapa in front, surrounded by an open courtyard all around. In the courtyard of the Vishnupada Temple there are numerous small shrines and metaphors.

The Falgu River : According to Ramayana, when Lord Rama came to Gaya along with Sita for pitripaksha (or to perform pindadanam), Sita cursed the Falgu River following some disobedience on the part of the river. The mythology states that because of this curse, Falgu River lost its water, and the river is simply a vast stretch of sand dunes.

Mangal Gauri: The Mangla Gauri shrine is marked by two rounded stones that symbolize the breasts of the mythological Sati, the first wife of Lord Shiva. It is a very old and sacred temple, which is located at Gaya-Bodhgaya link road the Narayan chuan area of Gaya town. Hundreds of devotees visit this temple every day, which is situated on hilltop.

Pretshila Hill : The Pretshila hill, to the north-west of Gaya is a sacred place for the Hindus where ‘Pindas’ are offered by the devotees in large numbers to their ancestors. On the summit of the hill is a temple of the Pretaraja or God Yama of Hindu mythology. Earlier several images of Surya, Vishnu, Mahismarddini Durga and some Buddhist divinities were foundin and around the hill which indicates the existence of earlier shrines in the locality during the ancient period. At the foot of the hill is a tank called RAMKUND in which it is believed that lord Rama himself bathed before offering ‘Pinda’ to his ancestors.

Ramshila Hill :The Ramshila Hill situated on the South-east fringe of Gaya and is one of the most sacred hills in Gaya and it also appears to have had a considerable antiquity. A number of stone sculptures belonging to the ancient period can be still noticed on and around the hill which suggest the existence of some earlier structures or Temples since very early times. The Temple situated on the top of the hill called as Rameshvara or Patalesvara. The name of the hill is associated with lord Rama and so images of Rama, Sita and Hanuman are also installed in a temple on the hill. The Ramshila Hill is considered to be the most sacred as it is also believed that Lord Rama had offered ‘Pinda’ on the Hill.

Brahmayoni Hill : To the south of Gaya, the Brahmayoni hill, is the tallest in Gaya and is named after a natural fissure on its top which is believed to represent the female energy or yoni of the god Brahma. In a small temple on the hill a five-headed female image is worshiped as a female energy of Brahma i.e. Brahmayoni. The Brahmayoni Hill is a sacred place for the hindus and Pindas are offered here during the Pitripaksha Mela in large numbers.

Surya Kund : To the west of the Vishnupad Temple is the pond, Surya Kund. This is also one of sacred place where ‘pindas’ is offerd, known as Panchtirthi as well in the Hindu months of Chaitra (March-April) and Kartikya (September-October) the festival of God Sun is held called as CHATT PARV and a fair is also organized on these occasion.

BODHGAYA: Bodhgaya is 13 km south of Gaya. As Gaya is an important and sacred place of Hindu pilgrims, Bodhgaya is one of the four holiest places of Buddhism, as Lord Gautama Buddha is said to have attained enlightment here.

Maha Bodhi Temple: It is a signicant archaeological site. Maha Bodhi temple is 15 metres square and rises to a height of 52 metres. There is a big statue of Lord Buddha inside with his hands touching the earth.

Bodhi Sarovar: is anattractive location, this pond is towards the west of Bodhi temple and it is believed that before going in for meditation Buddha took bath in this pond.

Bodhi Tree : It was here that the Sakya prince (then known as Gautama) first saw “Light” under the Bodhi Tree and become “Buddha”,the enlightened one. It still holds a very important role to Buddhists of all traditions and acts as an inspiration and a symbol of peace.

How to arrive

Gaya is well connected to the rest of India and the world by roadways, railways and airways.

Railways- Gaya is the second most important station in Bihar after Patna. It is a junction and is connected to all the four metropolis New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai through Important Broad Gauge Routes (direct trains). Now it is also directly connected to Guwahati (N-E India) and Chennai (South India). There is a direct non-stop train, Mahabodhi Express from New Delhi to Gaya daily. It takes around 15 hours to reach Gaya from New Delhi by train.

There are direct trains from Gaya to other important stations in India like Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Guwahati, Ranchi, Bokaro, Varanasi, Lucknow, Kanpur, Allahabad, Agra, Mathura, Jabalpur, Bhopal, Indore, Nagpur, Puri, Ahmedabad, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Dehradun, Kalka, Jammu, Gwalior, etc. There are also two other broad gauge train lines from Gaya, one to Patna and the other to Kiul. Altogether Four Rajdhani Express Trains apart from other Super-Fast trains take you directly from Delhi to Gaya. While Rajdhani Express takes 12 hours, the other Mail Express trains take 15 to 17 hours. From Kolkata it is an overnight journey of approximately Six hours. It has direct train links from Puri, Nagpur, Indore, Lucknow , Patna as well

Airways- Gaya Airport is the only international airport in Bihar and Jharkhand taken together. It is an international airport connected to Colombo, Sri Lanka. Gaya Airport is served by Indian Airlines for domestic flights and Sri Lankan Airlines, Mihin Lanka, Drukair, Jet airways and Indian Airlines for international flights., Thai Airways flies non stop between Bangkok and Gaya. Indian Airlines operates Bi-weekly Kolkata-Gaya-Bangkok and Kolkata-Gaya-Yangoon flights, Thai Airways operates daily Bangkok-Gaya-Varanasi-Bangkok and Druk Airlines of Bhutan operates Paro-Gaya-Bangkok bi-weekly flights. With the completion of New Terminal Building, more Domestic and International flights are expected to be added to the fleet. It is said to be being developed as a stand-by to the Kolkata airport. The distance of Gaya airport to National Heritage site "Bodh Gaya" is about 5 Kilometers